# Chapter 43
I left home, packed with books, because of a false promise. I felt sad that my plan to rest comfortably at home was shattered, but I had no choice. Besides, I was going to study anyway.
Swallowing a sigh, I resolved to stay at the library until late since I was already out. Just as the bus heading to the library arrived and I was about to board, I hesitated because there were too many people.
‘Is there an event I don’t know about?’
At around 1 PM on a Sunday, why were there so many people on this relatively unpopular bus route? I did board because the next bus wouldn’t come for at least 15 minutes, but it was uncomfortable being pushed around everywhere.
It was like a rush hour bus, and I swallowed the sigh that automatically came out. If I had known it would be like this, I should have just gone to a cafe near my house and spent my time there instead of the library.
I should have thought of the cafe as a refuge before getting on the bus, but I only realized it after being pushed around.
“The next stop is Central Library, Central Library.”
After about 10 minutes, the name of my stop came like a ray of light. I brightened and tried to move toward the door in advance, but everyone around me showed signs of getting off.
I felt relieved that I wouldn’t have to push through the crowd alone. Finally, when the bus stopped and the doors opened, all those people began to get off at once.
This was unexpected, and in my moment of confusion, I was swept up in the moving crowd and pushed out of the bus. It was fine since I was going to get off anyway, but I couldn’t shake off my bewilderment at what was happening.
“…Might as well go to the library.”
Worrying wouldn’t help me understand anything. The crowd that had been so large was already moving away. They seemed to be heading to the same place as if by arrangement, but I didn’t care enough to be curious about it.
Still, I couldn’t ignore the fatigue from being jostled by so many people, so I patted my shoulders. Walking toward the library, I thought about how long I would study and what I should focus on first.
‘The library is quiet, and it makes sense to focus on Korean literature, which is my relatively weak subject.’
Having made my decision, I raised my head. At the same time, I made eye contact with a group of 7-8 people gathered together. Of course, it could have been my imagination, so I looked around slowly, but there was no one else nearby.
‘Are they looking at me?’
Looking at the group again, some were looking at their phones, while others were making eye contact with me. At this point, it really seemed like they were looking at me, so I tilted my head, and they all turned away simultaneously as if on cue.
“What’s going on.”
I frowned instinctively, feeling somewhat uncomfortable. Still, I was clearly outnumbered and didn’t like fighting, so I decided to hurry on my way.
Maybe because I became conscious of it, I had the illusion that gazes directed at me could be felt. My nape felt hot rather than just itchy, so I quickly turned around to look.
I understood that there would be many people who looked like students near a library, but the way they awkwardly yet quickly turned their heads as I looked back was suspicious.
“What is this, really?”
Am I being overly self-conscious? Was I imagining things because I was used to receiving stares when walking with Kwon Dojin and Baek Han? Or were people really staring at me?
Either way, it was unsettling, so I frowned. Without clear evidence, asking “Why are you staring?” would surely get me labeled as crazy, so I hurried my steps. I needed to take refuge in the library quickly.
Once inside the library’s reading room, I could finally breathe a sigh of relief. The gazes that had made me uncomfortable were gone. It seems it wasn’t my imagination; people really had been staring at me.
I chose a seat in a secluded corner where there weren’t many people around. Hugging my backpack, I exhaled deeply. I had consumed a lot of energy from the bus to the reading room.
I took a brief rest with my eyes closed. My stiff body relaxed languorously, and after regaining my peace of mind, I unpacked my things.
I placed my study planner with a simple schedule beside me and took out my Korean practice test book, a timer, and my pencil case. After looking around the extremely quiet space once, I gripped my mechanical pencil with a satisfied smile.
Coming out was really troublesome, but it was quite satisfying to be able to study in a quiet place after a long time.
* * *
Dojin clicked his tongue inwardly as he looked around the densely packed café. He couldn’t understand why they had to make this so public when they could have met quietly.
“When is Ji Haecheon coming?”
Baek Han, sitting with his legs crossed and brows furrowed, tapped his foot irritably. Ahn Ji Yu, who had been sucking on his straw while cupping his face, blinked his large eyes and removed the straw from his lips.
“Haecheon is always late to appointments. You know that, Han?”
“For someone who’s supposed to be Rank 1—”
“Enough. There are many ears listening.”
Dojin interrupted Baek Han’s words and jerked his chin subtly toward a group blatantly observing them. Following Dojin’s gaze, Baek Han spotted them and deepened the furrow between his brows.
“Why does it seem like there are more people than usual today?”
“Well—, perhaps thanks to Han creating a sensation?”
Ahn Ji Yu, taking a bite of cake, smiled brightly at Baek Han. Baek Han answered by turning his head away.
“You have cream on your lips, Ji Yu.”
“Really? Hyun—”
Dojin tapped his index finger near his mouth, lightly diffusing the somewhat tense atmosphere. At his remark, Ji Yu naturally clung to Sunwoo Hyun and whined. Sunwoo Hyun, accustomed to this, picked up a napkin and neatly wiped Ji Yu’s mouth, then turned his gaze toward the door.
Ding—the clear sound of a bell rang, and Dojin and Baek Han understood why.
“Finally decides to show up.”
“Seems like he wants attention.”
Baek Han snorted at Dojin’s quiet mutter, which he heard due to their proximity. Ahn Ji Yu, who also heard it, couldn’t hide his smile. Only Sunwoo Hyun maintained his usual stoic expression without showing any reaction.
Ji Haecheon approached leisurely and sat in the empty seat. At the same time, the noise that had filled the café gradually subsided.
“Let’s finish quickly and go.”
“Ji Yu agrees—. I’m supposed to go eat parfait with Hyun.”
“Right?” Ahn Ji Yu, elongating the end of his sentence, winked while making eye contact with Sunwoo Hyun. Sunwoo Hyun simply nodded in response and carefully fixed Ji Yu’s disheveled hair with gentle hands.
“Then shall we just give our reports and end it?”
Dojin also disliked this gathering. Just as everyone was about to agree with his suggestion to wrap up quickly, Ji Haecheon spoke up.
“It’s rare for us to gather like this, so let’s take our time.”
Dojin reflexively started to frown at Ji Haecheon’s half-smirk but stopped himself. If there had been only the five of them at the table, he wouldn’t have cared, but many eyes were watching.
There was no need to give them something to gossip about, so Dojin closed his eyes briefly and reopened them.
“You must be very idle. Looking at how you waste time on unnecessary things.”
“Since we’re meeting after a long time, I’m saying we should strengthen our bonds. That’s not so unnecessary, is it?”
“Says the person who’s late to the appointment—, that’s sophistry, isn’t it?”
Thanks to Baek Han’s open mockery, Ji Haecheon’s expression crumbled. Just as Baek Han was about to speak again triumphantly, Dojin stopped him by tapping his thigh. Once might be overlooked, but not twice.
After all, they were quite strict about hierarchy.
“Everyone might have their own schedules, so it’s best we finish by the planned time. Right?”
Dojin stared at Ji Haecheon with cold eyes while wearing a deep smile. Ji Haecheon bit the inside of his mouth imperceptibly and slowly nodded.
“Ji Yu wants to go eat parfait too, so that’s good—”
The bouncy voice cut in, and the sharply honed atmosphere subsided. Baek Han turned his head and clicked his tongue but didn’t express further dissatisfaction. Only Sunwoo Hyun maintained his calm demeanor.
“Then let’s start the regular reports.”
Everyone except Ji Haecheon nodded at Dojin’s words.
In the quiet atmosphere, they took turns speaking. It was merely a pretense of a regular report; in reality, it was a simple show-and-tell meeting. It was a kind of device to announce that they were actively participating as members of the ranking.
For Dojin, who was in the ranking simply because he could enjoy freedom without interference, it was just a tedious affair.
Most people seated at this table probably didn’t like this meeting. Baek Han’s bored expression and Ahn Ji Yu’s drooping tone proved that.
Though Dojin didn’t erase the smile on his lips, he tapped the floor in a steady rhythm to indicate his boredom. As meaningless reports went back and forth mixed with some casual conversation, the scheduled time approached.
“Any special matters to report?”
“Ji Yu has nothing.”
“Me neither.”
Silence was as good as an affirmation. Dojin checked the time on his wristwatch once more and was about to announce the end of the meeting when Ji Haecheon interrupted.
“There’s a strange rumor going around lately.”
“A strange rumor?”
Dojin instinctively realized the remark was aimed at him. He composed his expression that was about to crumble, tilted his head slightly, and blinked slowly. As he feigned ignorance, Ji Haecheon sneered.
“A rumor that someone unknown is seducing you, something like that.”
“I didn’t know you were naive enough to believe rumors.”
Despite his gentle tone, Dojin’s attitude was sharp, and Ji Haecheon leaned forward slightly and rested his chin on his hand.
“I’m simply saying I’m worried about you. I hope you don’t get hurt like last time.”
At these shameless words, Dojin smiled even more deeply and crossed his legs elegantly.
“Instead of wasting time on meaningless concerns, I advise you to focus on your duties.”
With his chin slightly raised, Dojin looked arrogant, but it suited him so well, like a tailored suit, that those around them were busy exhaling in admiration.
